Sunday, December 21, 2008
By Harold Gwin
YOUNGSTOWN — Brianna Watson may be just 15, but she wants to have a voice in what happens in her school.
It was that desire to be a leader that prompted her, Aiesha Ethridge and Mallory Kimble to apply for the post of student member of the Youngstown City School Board.
All three took the oath of office as members at a board meeting last week. They will sit with the board during regular meetings and make public reports about events in their schools.
Watson is a sophomore and represents Youngstown Early College. Ethridge, 17, is a senior at East High School, and Kimble, 16, is a junior at Chaney High School.
Youngstown is one of the few school districts in the state to have students serve as appointed members of the board, said M. Mike McNair, supervisor of community relations and public information for the district.
The district launched the program three years ago, selecting a student from each high school, and it has proved to be beneficial for the elected board members, the public and the students who have served, said Shelley Murray, board president.
Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.